President William Ruto has defended plans to establish a US-backed Ebola preparedness facility at the Laikipia Air Base, saying Kenya cannot afford to wait for an outbreak before putting measures in place.
Speaking during a media interview in Wajir after the Madaraka Day celebrations on Sunday, the President said the facility is intended to boost the country’s ability to respond to potential Ebola cases and should not be viewed as a threat to local communities.
Ruto revealed that he personally approved the project following discussions with the United States government, describing it as part of a broader health partnership that Kenya has maintained with America for decades.
“When President Trump asked the government of Kenya to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Air Base, I gave the okay because it was an agreement and a partnership with friends who have walked with Kenya,” the President said.
He noted that the United States has supported Kenya’s health sector for many years, particularly in the fight against diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other public health challenges.
The President denied the rumors that the facility will bring Ebola to the country by saying that there is a similar facility elsewhere in Kenya.
As per his statement, there are existing Ebola isolation facilities at Kenyatta National Hospital, Police Hospital in Nairobi, Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital, Eldoret and Alupe Hospital in Busia.
According to Ruto, the government is monitoring the people who come into the country through screening at entry points.
He further noted that thousands of people are being screened on a daily basis for Ebola, but none of them have shown any sign of the disease.
The president wondered why there was criticism over the program as being prepared was necessary given the strong ties that Kenya shares with neighboring countries where Ebola cases were being reported.
He referred to the many Kenyan peacekeepers, businessmen, and workers who live in the Democratic Republic of Congo and stated that the government had to protect its citizens in the event of an outbreak.
“We have thousands of Kenyans in DRC. If any of them were to contract Ebola and come back home, we have a responsibility to treat them and protect other Kenyans,” he said.
Ruto also disclosed that Kenyan researchers, including those at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), are involved in ongoing efforts to better understand the disease and support global research towards developing effective vaccines and treatments.
The President further added that the project would be part of a broader framework agreed upon between the two nations in a bid to enhance health structures and responses mechanisms in Kenya.
These statements came following demonstrations that erupted yesterday in Nanyuki town following complaints of lack of proper public engagement regarding construction of the 50-bed Ebola treatment center at KDF Laikipia Air Base.
Residents feared that the facility could pose potential risks in terms of health when there will be an outbreak within their communities, and wondered why the implementation of the plan has been going on despite the lack of enough public participation in it.
Others felt that the establishment of the center would result into the spread of rumors in the area, which could affect tourism industry in the area.
The controversy has escalated to a level that the High Court stopped the plan temporarily pending hearing of a petition filed against the project by Katiba Institute and Law Society of Kenya.
The petitioners feel that necessary legal and public participation protocols haven’t been adhered to while implementing the project. Moreover, they are unsure about the capability of the country’s health facilities in handling a serious Ebola outbreak in Kenya.
